More than 100 exchange students take on Ocala for 4 weeks

Gary Wilson of the Villages, left, unites with Alicia Desaegher of France, right, after arriving at College Road Baptist Church Friday afternoon, August 1, 2014 to meet up with their host families. A total of 108 exchange students from France, Italy and Germany with Education First Homestay Programs will be in Marion County and parts of the Villages until August 26th. While here they will take part in American traditions like bowling, tubing and kayaking on the Rainbow River, tour the Marion County Sheriff's K9 and helicopter units and attend a picnic August 9th at Jervey Gantt Park.

Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

Published: Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 7:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 7:43 p.m.

After a long trip from their homes in Europe, more than 100 students arrived in Ocala on Friday to a sort of homecoming as their American host families gathered to meet them at College Road Baptist Church.

Many held posters and balloons welcoming their new charges, who will live with them during the nearly four-week program.

The group includes students from Italy, France and Germany and will stay until Aug. 26.

Virginia Zanardi, 17, is from Italy and arrived a few days ahead of the others. She quickly found common ground with her American family.

"We had Nutella at home and we found out she loves it, so we got her more," said her host "sister," Michelle Wood, 14.

While the Nutella, a hazelnut, chocolate spread from Europe, was nice, Zanardi is most looking forward to something synonymous with Florida.

"The beach," she said.

For 15-year-old Oceane Degoue, it's her first time traveling so far from her family in France.

"I am a little bit nervous," she said. "I came because I want to improve my English."

The exchange program is sponsored by Education First, a Boston-based organization. Ocala has hosted Education First students for the last nine years. Nearly 200 students from around Europe and Asia come to Marion County every year under the program.

The students' families pay for their travel expenses and local teachers give English and cultural lessons every morning. But the afternoons are mostly for fun.

Trips planned this year include Daytona Beach, Silver Springs State Park, De Leon Springs State Park in Volusia County and the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.

"It's a nice way to try to show and open up their experience as much as possible and share with them our natural wonders and culture," said Karen Wood, a program director for Education First.

Another activity will be a charity car wash to benefit Dreams Come True Foundation, which grants dreams to children with life-threatening diseases in northeast Florida and southern Georgia.

"What American teenager hasn't been part of a car wash. They will get to experience that," Wood said.

Wood said the local community steps up for the exchange students every year.

"We are so grateful for everything the hosts families and the community in general does for these students. It is really appreciated," she said.

<p>After a long trip from their homes in Europe, more than 100 students arrived in Ocala on Friday to a sort of homecoming as their American host families gathered to meet them at College Road Baptist Church.</p><p>Many held posters and balloons welcoming their new charges, who will live with them during the nearly four-week program.</p><p>The group includes students from Italy, France and Germany and will stay until Aug. 26.</p><p>Virginia Zanardi, 17, is from Italy and arrived a few days ahead of the others. She quickly found common ground with her American family.</p><p>"We had Nutella at home and we found out she loves it, so we got her more," said her host "sister," Michelle Wood, 14.</p><p>While the Nutella, a hazelnut, chocolate spread from Europe, was nice, Zanardi is most looking forward to something synonymous with Florida.</p><p>"The beach," she said.</p><p>For 15-year-old Oceane Degoue, it's her first time traveling so far from her family in France.</p><p>"I am a little bit nervous," she said. "I came because I want to improve my English."</p><p>The exchange program is sponsored by Education First, a Boston-based organization. Ocala has hosted Education First students for the last nine years. Nearly 200 students from around Europe and Asia come to Marion County every year under the program.</p><p>The students' families pay for their travel expenses and local teachers give English and cultural lessons every morning. But the afternoons are mostly for fun.</p><p>Trips planned this year include Daytona Beach, Silver Springs State Park, De Leon Springs State Park in Volusia County and the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.</p><p>"It's a nice way to try to show and open up their experience as much as possible and share with them our natural wonders and culture," said Karen Wood, a program director for Education First.</p><p>Another activity will be a charity car wash to benefit Dreams Come True Foundation, which grants dreams to children with life-threatening diseases in northeast Florida and southern Georgia.</p><p>"What American teenager hasn't been part of a car wash. They will get to experience that," Wood said.</p><p>Wood said the local community steps up for the exchange students every year.</p><p>"We are so grateful for everything the hosts families and the community in general does for these students. It is really appreciated," she said.</p>